with the weather forecast for the weekend more high winds and loads of rain its not good luck for the club the old girl is defo showing her age
Nearly sixty years old, and built with materials, that are prohibited since before the turn of the century, the cost of maintenance has been far too high. Even though a lot of revamping through the stand, it has never had a complete rebuild. Which it needs!
In terms of materials, i wouldnt believe that any other place of work or stadia, would be allowed to conduct business with so much of these materials that were originally used would cost a large sum to be rid of, a whole new roof would be needed and because of other materials placed elsewhere through the stand, it would be easier to sell the whole lot and play anywhere else.
The last time the roof had wind damage, it would have been around the time of kick off for that fixture, but it was moved, cant remember why, but that was where my season ticket was for. It did take weeks to fix and remove the debris. And the seating had to be repaired. When i actually did get my seat back, i was distracted because of the expectancy of more debris coming down. I had to move!
All manner of problems, with toilets, water, bars, food outlets, heatingin rooms, kitchen, disabled lift, et al, are a strain on the club. The most significant problem is flooding, when, as the other week during heavy rain and on the weekend the drainage to stop outside water which was improved a few years back, still cant cope. The kop concourse is often awash, the back of the kop stand was leaking till the close season 18 months ago, but from the lads up there, it has returned.
Even the kop stand is over twenty five years old and the design and height has an effect on the pitch, there are certain areas of the pitch that doesnt get sun on it for the majority of the season.
I could never understand why in the 90's rebuild, the refurbishment and the main stand was really so underdeveloped and why the club just didnt bulldose the whole lot and start from scratch. In the long run it would have been cheaper!
The ground is not viable, everyone who has an interest in the club should know it, and the sooner we move, the better. But we need, as always proper investment, but in the current circumstances surrounding covid. It will be quite a while before we see it!